Wireworking machine



Oct. 12, 1943. A. M. BANK ETAL WIRE WORKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 16, 1941 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS (BERT M BANK 6 147'7'0RNEY 2. @m? 32 m, J 5 03 mfi 2 SN: w 05. J 2% 1 m3 0 mg g 8N llllllll cm: v5 m5 5 omw HI IUHHHH u il: M 6 HWNWMY E m a E E w m2. E. 5 a E; 5 m5 9 N? 5 W 3 EL qqw p 05 m8 N h whg NC Oct. 12, 1943. A. M. BANK EIAL WIRE WORKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 16, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 1943. A. M. BANK ETAL WIRE WORKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 16, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 12, 1943. A. M. BANK EI'AL WIRE WORKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 16, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS 1445597 M. 54 ,QLEX/QNOEI? N/CH oms MflTTOPNEy OctJlZ, 1943. A. M. BANK ETAL 2,331,294

WIRE WORKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 16, 1941 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Oct. 12, 1943. A. M. BANK EI'AL 2,331,294

WIRE WORKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 16, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS 0 4155/87 M. BANK o- 41. EXANDEE NICHOLAS Oct. 12, 1943. A. M. BANK ETAL 2,331,294

WIRE WORKING MACHINE Filed Au 16, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 zx m N m I gW/ll/ a a qv /////////7, wa

w I q 3 ma Q H 10 y llm w H INVENTORS 4 71 BERT 5A NK BY 4L EXA NOE NICHOLAS Patented Oct. 12, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT f" OFFICE I t ".2,3s1,'2 94 I I wmswonxnvo MACHINE- Albert shrank an Alexander Nicholas, Jersey City, N. .J.,- asslgnors, by mesne assignments, to

Super 'Sagles's Spring Company, Jersey City, N.- Jt, a partnership comprising Albert M. Bank ve siv -B seat ime 6 Thi invention relates to wire'flworking chines. It is particularly directed to-a machine I for makin zigzag shaped wire springs for upholstered chair seats and chair backs, and the like articles;

An object of this invention is to provide alma- 1941, Serial No. 407,146 I 1 01. 140-71) chine of the character described for making springs of the character described, having predetermined length and predetermined number of turns, mean being further provided to adjust the length of the springs and the number of turns-in each spring.

A further object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the character described, means to vary the width of the turns so that in each spring the width of the turns decreases from the outer ends towards the middle.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the character described,

means for varying the distances between the arms of each turn of the spring.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a machine of the character described for making zigzag spring in predetermined lengths,

and means for depositin the pieces of spring one on top of the other, as the springs are cut off.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a machine of the character described, in which the lengths of the springs may be adjusted without adjusting the cutoff mechanism.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide. a machine of the character described for making a zigzag spring arched longitudinally.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a machine of the character described, having means for feeding wire from a roll or other supply of wire, twisting the wire back and forth to produce a zigzag, arching the spring longitudinally and cutting ed the spring in predetermined similar lengths and depositing the springs one on top of the other, all of said means operating in synchronization from a common power supply.

Astill further object of this invention is to' provide a strong, durable and compact machine of the character described, which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, smooth, positive and economical in operation, and yet practical and efficient to a-high-degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of part which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described,

and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown one of the various possible illustrative embodiments of this invention,

Fig. 1 is a front elevatlonal view of a machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of said machine;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of said machine;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 2, illustrating the cutting off mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a side view of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 7 taken in the plane indicated by numerals 88 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view taken on line 9--9 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view taken on line I 0I0 of Fi 3;

Fig. 11 is a view siimlar to Fig. 10, but showing another position of the parts;

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken on line l2-I2 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged top plan view of the mechanism for holding the spring during the cutting off operation;

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken on line l4l4 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken on line I5I5 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 15, showing the mechanism opened up to permit the cut length of spring to drop;

Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken on line "-11 of Fig.3;

Fig. 18 is a partial top plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken on line l9--l9 of Fig. 17;

Fig. 20 is a top plan view similar to Fig. 18, but showing the position of the parts after one of the pins around which the wire is twisted, has been depressed;

Fig. 21 is a view similar to Fig. 20, and showing the parts in another position; i

Fig. 22 is a view similar to Fig. 20, but showing the position 01 the parts with the pin bearing blocks separated;

Fig. 23 is a top plan view of a length of spring made on the improved machine; and

Fig. 24 is a side elevational view thereof.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, l8 designate a machine embodying the invention for making lengths or pieces 01' spring, illustrated in Figs. 23 and 24 of the drawings. Spring II as shown in the drawings is zigzag shaped, and the turns thereof decrease in width and in di tance between the arms of the turns, from the outer ends of the spring towards the middle. Furthermore, the spring is arched longitudinally.

It will be noted furthermore that the end arms i2 and 2a of the spring point to the same sideof the spring. The end turns of the spring may be bent back inwardly beneath the arch of the spring and may be inserted into brackets fixed to seat or back frames in the manner disclosed in application of Albert M. Bank, Serial No. 362, 379, filed October 23, 1940. By having the end arms I: pointing to the same side of the spring, the end U-shaped turns may be inserted into the brackets by moving said end turns in the same direction, thus facilitating mounting the spring on the frame.

The zigzag making mechanism The machine It! comprises a frame, base or support IS. The support l5 includes a horizontal table top l6, from which there extends downwardly a front wall l1 and a rear wall IS. The walls I! and I8 are formed with aligned bearing openings I9 and 28, for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

Table I6 is furthermore formed with vertical through openings 2| and 22, the purpose of which will be hereinafter explained. At one end of table I6 are a pair of aligned horizontal bearings 24, disposed parallel to the plane of the axes of openings 2| and 22.

Fixed to the top of table I6 is a bracket having parallel vertical legs 28 formed with feet 21 contacting the top of table l6, and bolted or screwed thereto, as at 28. Interconnecting the vertical legs 26 is a horizontal top wall 30 formed with a horizontal through opening 3| disposed in the plane of the axes of the openings 2| and 22.

It will be noted that bracket 25 is located between openings 2| and 22. The front end or mouth of opening 3| is conical, as at 33. A piece of wire W from any suitable roll or supply of wire, passes forwardly through the opening 3|, in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 4, and through the mouth of said opening.

Extending upwardly from wall 30 is a vertical bearing 34 disposed in alignment with, but spaced rearwardly from opening 22. On wall 38 is a horizontal elongated bearing 36 extending from front to rear, and disposed parallel to and spaced from the plane of the axes of openings 2| and 22. Wall 30 is furthermore formed on one side thereof, with an offset arm 31 projecting toward the end of table l6 which has the bearing '24, and formed with a bearing opening 38, parallel to bearing 36.

Rotatably mounted within the bearing opening 22, and supported by table H5, i a rotary or oscillating member or head 48 formed with a sleeve 4| projecting down through opening 22 and below the table I8. Above sleeve 4| is an enlarged hub 42 contacting the top of table I6. Above the hub 42 is an enlarged cylindrical portion 43 formed at the top thereof with a diametric groove 44. The rotary head is formed with an axial through opening 48, communicating with bottom of groove 44.

Fixed to the lower end of sleeve 4| is a collar 46 disposed on the underside of table it. Fixed to table l5, as by screws 41, is an annular bearing members 48, in which the lower end of hub portion 42 i journalled.. Fixed to the hub 42 and disposed between bearing 48 and the cylindrical portion 43 is a gear 49, for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

Slidably mounted in groov 44 are a pair of similar, keyed. symmetrically disposed blocks 50 and 5| formed with horizontal longitudinal inwardly extending sockets 58a and 5|a, and also with vertical cylindrical sockets or openings 50b and Ella, and with vertical slots 58c and 5|c communicating with vertical openings 58b and 5|b respectively.

Attached to opposite sides of the cylindrical portion 43 of the rotary head 40 are yokes 55 serving as abutment for coil compression springs 58 interposed between said yokes and the blocks 58 and 5|, the inner ends of the spring being received within the sockets 50a and 5|a. The springs 56 thus tend to push the blocks inwardly toward each other. Said blocks 58 and 5| are furthermore formed adjacent the inner end thereof, and adjacent the lower ends thereof with-half- .conical sockets or notches 50d and 5|d, for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

Slidably mounted in openings 58b and 5| b are vertical pins 58 and 59 countersunk on the undersides thereof to receive the upper ends of coil compression springs 58a and 59a interposed between said pins and the bottom ends of the openings 58b and 5|b. Screwed to the pins 58 and 59 are horizontal guide pins 58b and 5% received within the vertical slots 50c and 5|c. The pins 58 and 59 are thus urged upwardly by the springs 58a and 59a, but may reciprocate within their openings in the manner hereinafter appearing.

The upper ends 580 and 590 of the pins 58 and 59 are beveled in the same direction, so that the high points of said pins are in alignment. The wire W is fed between the pins 58 and 59, and twisted into zigzag shape upon oscillation of the rotary head 40, as will more fully appear hereinafter.

Means is provided to oscillate the rotary head 48. To this end, there is mounted on table IS, a vertical pivot pin 60, having a reduced portion 8| at its lower end passing through the opening 2|. Fixed to the lower end of reduced portion BI is a collar 62. At the upper end of pivot pin 68 is an enlarged flange 63. Rotatably mounted on pivot 68 is a gear 64 meshing with the gear 49.

Attached to the rear face of wall are a pair of vertical plates 18 projecting above the table top I6. At the upper ends of plat 10 are horizontal aligned guides 1| open at the inner faces thereof, and slidably mounted within the guides H is a horizontal rack 12 having teeth on its inner face meshing with the gear 64. On table It are rotatably mounted a pair of idler pinion l3 disposed on opposite sides of gear 64 and meshing with the rack I2.

Rotatably mounted in the bearings 24 is a horizontal transverse shaft 15 carrying a gear '16 at its front end. The support |5 carries a bearing 11 disposed beneath the bearings 24 and supporting a shaft 18 on which is mounted a pinion I9 meshing with gear 16. On shaft 18 is a pulley belted to an electric motor 8| mounted on the support l5,

It will now be understood that operation of motor 8I will cause rotation of shafts I8 and I5 through the meshing gears I9, I6.

On the rear end of shaft I5 is a rotary head 8Ia formed with parallel diametrical guides 82,

on which there is slidably received a member 83.-

At one end of the guides 82, is a transverse wall 85, in which is rotatably and non-slidably mounted a screw 88 screwed into member 83.

It will now be understood that rotation of the screw 86 will cause sliding movement of member 83 relative to member 8Ia. Interconnecting a pivot pin 88 on member 83 with a pivot pin 89 on the rack I2, is a connecting rod 9911. It will now be understood that rotation of member 8la, which is fixed to shaft 15, will cause reciprocation of the rack 12, and hence oscillation of member 49. Furthermore, the extent of reciprocation of the rack may be adjusted by turning the screw 86. Thus, the adjustment of the screw 86 controls the angle of oscillation of the rotary head 49.

Means is provided to alternately depress the pins 58 and 59 after rotation of rotary head 49 in each direction, to permit the turns formed in the wire to pass off the pins, so that the zigzag shaped wire may be continuously formed. To this end, there is rotatably mounted within bearing 36 a shaft 99, to one end of which is fixed an arm 9| formed with a slot 92 and overlying the vertical opening 34 in wall 39 of the bracket 25.

Slidably mounted within opening 39 is a plunger 93, the upper end of which is slotted to receive arm 9|, and provided with a transverse pivot pin 94 passing through the slot 92. Interposed between the upper enlarged end of plunger 93 and wall 39, is a coil compression spring 95 tending to raise the plunger. At the lower end of plunger 93 is a head 96 adapted to engage and depress pin 58 as rotary head 49 is rotated in one direction, and engage and depress pin 59, as said rotary head is rotated in an opposite direction.

Fixed to the opposite end of shaft 99 is an arm I99 provided with a pin I93 at the outer end thereof, parallel to shaft 99. In bearing 38 is a pivot pin I9I serving as a pivot for a lever I92. One end of lever I92 overlies pin I93. Attached to the opposite end of lever I92 is a member I 94 having an inclined edge I95.

Fixed to shaft I5, and rotatable therewith, is

a disc H9 formed with a pair of diametrically opposed arcuate slots III. Through each of said slots is a bolt I I2. The bolts I I2 may be adjusted angularly within slots III. Each bolt H2 has a head H3 adapted to be engaged by an inclined edge I95 of member I94 on the lever I92. Thus, during each revolution of disc H9, lever I92 is oscillated twice as member I94 is engaged by the heads H3 of bolts H2. Each time lever I92 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, looking at Fig. 2 of the drawings, arm I99 is likewise swung downwardly in a counterclockwise direction to rotate shaft 99, to depress the plunger 93 to in turn depress one of the pins 58 or 59, whichever happens to be beneath the plunger.

Means is provided to arch the zigzag spring longitudinally as said spring is formed. To this end, there is mounted on the rotary head 49 a longitudinally curved guide I29. At the lower end of the guide I29 is a horizontal plate I29a, lying on top of the rotary head 49, and pivotally connected thereto by a vertical pivot pin I2 I. Guide I29 is in the form of a flattened tube or conduit and curves outwardly and upwardly, being open at both ends and of sufficient width to receive the zigzag shaped spring formed from the wire W. The springis longitudinally arched, as it passes through the guide I29. A plane passing through the pivot pin I2I and the axis of the rotary head 43, is at right angles to the plane passing through the pins 58 and 59 and the guide oscillates about the pivot pin during oscillation of the rotary head 49.

The formation of the U-turns or zigzag in the wire during operation of the machine will now be described:

As the wire passes between the pins 58 and 59, and rotary head 49 is rotated in onedirection, the wire is bent into U-shape, and when fully bent, the pin 58 or 59 which is beneath the plunger is depressed, so as to pass beneath two arms of a U turn, and then the rotary head is rotated in an opposite direction, to twist the wire oppositely to form another bend and arm. Thus, a bend and an arm is formed each time the rotary head rotates in an opposite direction.

Beginning with the parts as shown in Fig. 18, it will be noted that the rotary head 49 has been rotated in a counterclockwise direction. Pin 58 is engaged within the U turn marked I39, and the pin 59 is engaged with a U turn marked I 39a. As the pin 58 passes beneath plunger 93, lever I92 is rotated by disc H9 to depress the plunger, and head 96 thereof engages the beveled surface .58c of said pin to depress the pin and permit said pin to pass beneath the arms I3I and I32 to the position shown in Fig. 20, thus re easing the U turn I39. The rotary head 40 then rotates in a clockwise direction, thus forming another U-tum I33 having the arm I32 on one side thereof, and a newly formed arm I34 on the opposite side thereof. Pin 59 then passes beneath the plunger and is depressed to release said pin from U-turn I390. and arms I32, I34 as shown in Fig. 21 of the drawings. As the machine operates, wire is drawn through the passage 3|, and the zigzagshaped wire which is formed passes into the chute or guide I29.

It will be noted that the spread of the arms of each U turn or the distances between said arms may be adjusted by regulating the bolts H2 on disc H9 within the arcuate slots III. The position of these bolts control the timing of the release of pins 58, 59. By regulating such timing, the pins may be released somewhat sooner or later relative to the end of the oscillation of the rotary head 49. As the head approaches the end of each oscillation, the last U closes. By releasing the pin 58 or 59 a predetermined time in relation to the closing of this U, the width between the arms of the U may be regulated. Thus, if the last U is allowed to close more before the pin is released it will not open as much after the pin is released, as it would if the pin were released sooner. To explain, if a wire is bent into U shape, the more the arms are brought together, the less the arms will be opened up when released, and thus, the timing of the release of the pins 58 and 59 controls to a certain extent the degree of opening up of the Us and hence the distances between the arms of the U, and therefore also the lengths of the individual springs, as will appear more fully hereinafter.

The distances between the arms of each U turn may also be regulated by adjusting screw 86 which determines the length of reciprocation of the rack I2, and hence the angle of oscillation of rotary head 49. The greater the angle of rotation, the more the U turns will be closed, and hence the less the distances between the arms of the U turns. If each spring has 18 turns. a slight increase in the distance between each turn increases the overall length of each spring,

Means is provided to gradually increase and then gradually decrease the widths of the U portions as well as the distances between the arms of the U turns every predetermined number of turns, so that the continuously formed zigzag spring may thereafter be cut into predetermined equal lengths by mechanism hereinafter to be described, each spring having turns decreasing in width and in distances between the arms of the turns from the outer ends toward the middle. To this end, there is rotatably mounted within the bearings I9 and 20, a horizontal transverse shaft I40 located beneath the table I6. On shaft I40 is a collar I4I contacting wall I8 of the support I5. On said shaft, furthermore, is a roller clutch I42 of well known construction, to permit shaft I40 to rotate in one direction only. Said shaft I40 carries an eccentric I43 located beneath the through opening 46. It will be noted that the axis of shaft I40 is in the plane of the axis of said opening 46.

Slidably mounted within opening 46 is a rod I45 having a conical or cammed upper end I46 received within the registering semi-conical openings 50d and Id of the blocks 50, 5|. The lower end of rod I45 contacts the bottom of the eccentric I43. On rod I45 is a fixed collar I48 and interposed between said collar and the lower end of sleeve portion 4I of rotary head 43 is a coil compression spring I49.

It will now be understood that as shaft I rotates, the eccentric I43 will raise rod I to separate the blocks and 5|. As the eccentric continues to rotate, spring I49 will lower the rod and springs 56 will move the blocks 50, 5| inwardly toward each other.

On shaft I40 is a ratchet I50 shown in the drawings for the purpose of illustration as having 18 teeth. Pivoted to shaft I40 is an arm I52 extending upwardly therefrom and interconnected by a coil tension spring I53, to plate 10, or some other fixed part of the support. On arm I 52 is a pawl I54 engaging the teeth of the ratchet and retained against the ratchet by a tension spring I55 interconnecting said pawl with arm I52.

Means is provided for advancing the ratchet I50 through an angle equivalent to one tooth for each complete reciprocation of the rack 12. To this end, there is fixed to one end of said rack, a guide I carrying a rotatable and non-slidable longitudinal screw I 6I. Slidably mounted within the guide I60 is a member I62 having screw threaded engagement with the screw I6I. Fixed to member I62 is a horizontal, longitudinal bar I64 carrying a roller I65 at the opposite end thereof lying in the path of arm I52. As the rack 12 moves from the right to the left, looking at Fig. 3 of the drawings, the roller I65 will en gage the upper end of arm I52 to rotate ratchet I50 through an angle equivalent to one tooth of said ratchet. As the rack 12 moves from the left to the right, looking at Fig. 3, spring I53 will swing arm I52 in a clockwise direction, looking at Fig. 2 of the drawings, until said arm engages a fixed stop I66 adjustably fixed to the support I5. The screw I6I may be adjusted to insure rotation of arm I52 through a predetermined angle so that the ratchet I50 will be rotated through an angle of one tooth only during each reciprocation of the rack 12.

It will now be understood that there will be 18 reciprocations of therack 12, and hence 18 oscillations of the rotary head 40 while the eccentric I43 makes one complete revolution, and hence while the rod I45 makes one complete reciprocation up and then down. It will be understood that said rod I45 moves upwardly and the blocks separate step by step, the width of the turns will increase because the pins 58 and 59 will be spread apart. Increasing the width of the U turns will automatically increase the distances between the arms of the U turns. It will now be understood that every 18 U turns, the spring will repeat. During each repeat, the spring will decrease and then increase in width and in distances between the arms of the U portions, as illustrated in Fig. 23 of the drawings. By cutting the spring every 18th U turn, similar springs will be formed, as described hereinafter.

Bar I 64 is formed with a slot through which the pivot pin 89 passes, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

It will be understood that if it is desired to produce springs having different number of turns, it is merely necessary to replace the 18th tooth ratchet I50 by a ratchet having a different number of teeth and then regulating the screw I6I to adjust the angle of rotation of the ratchet each reciprocation. Member I62 may be formed with markings 52:1, and guide I60 may be provided with a pointer I60a cooperating with the markings I62a to indicate to what ratchet member I62 is set.

The spring advancing mechanism As the spring is formed into zigzag shape, it passes to a spring advancing mechanism I10 synchronized with the spring making mechanism. To this end, there is fixed to the table I6 9. pair of upright posts I1I located on opposite sides of the bracket 25. The posts "I may be interconnected by a horizontal roller I12 located above said bracket. As the zigzag shaped formed spring passes out of chute or guide I20, it is passed upwardly over the roller I12 and then downwardly and to the right looking at Fig. l of the drawings. The table I6 is formed with a raised platform I61: and with a, second raised platform I6b located at a level higher than the level Hill. on platform Ifia are a pair of symmetrical guides I15 having horizontal, inwardly extending flanges I16. The inner edges of said flanges are spaced from one another, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

Slidably mounted on platform I61; and between the guides I15 is a block I11, the top surface of which is spaced below the undersurfaces of flanges I16. The zigzag shaped spring passes between the guides I15 and between the block I11 and the flanges I16, as illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11 of the drawings.

Block I11 is urged to the right looking at Fig. 3 of the drawings by a coil tension spring I'Ila, interconnecting said block with a pin fixed to the table I6. Screwed to said block, and extending longitudinally of the table, is a horizontal rod I80, the rear end of which slides within a sleeve I8I fixed to the table I6. On rod I are a pair of spaced collars I82 and I83.

Fixed to rack 12 is a transverse bar I85 adapted to engage collar I 82. As rack 12 moves to the left, during each reciprocation, bar I85 will strike collar I82 and move block I11 to the left, tensioning the spring I11a. As the rack 12 again moves to the right, said spring will retract the block I11. Block I11 is formed with a longitudinal slot I86, in which there is a transverse horizontal pivot pin I81. Pivoted thereon is a latch I88 having a downwardly projecting finger I88a at one end contacting the top of platform Ilia, and an upwardly projecting finger I801), at its opposite end, projecting above the top surface of block I11. The rear arm of the latch is heavier than the forward arm so that the finger I881) is normally maintained in a position shown in Fig. of the drawings, projecting above the block.

It will now be understood that as the block I11 reciprocates, finger I88b will successively engage the arms of the U turns of the spring and advance the spring step by step through the guide I15. The spring is thus advanced through the guide in synchronism with the spring making mechanism.

Means is provided to prevent the spring from moving backwards within the guide. To this end, there is pivoted to said guide, a lever I90 normally urged downwardly by a spring I9I interconnecting the lever with some fixed part of the machine. Lever I90 has a finger I92 projecting downwardly between the flanges I16 and adapted to engage the arms of the spring. The spring may thus by-pass the finger I92 as it moves forwardly, but cannot move back due to engagement of finger I92 with the arms of said spring.

The cutting of mechanism Means is provided to cut the zigzag spring fed past the guide into similar equal lengths. To this end, there is fixed to table I6, adjacent one side of platform I6b, a frame or support 200 formed with a bearing 20I at the upper end thereof to support a transverse horizontal shaft 202 parallel to shaft 15. Fixed to the rear face of the support 200 are a pair of spaced, vertical guides 205 supporting therebetween a vertical slidable plate 205. Fixed to the lower end of plate 205 is a shear cutter 206. The face of the cutter is substantially in the plane of the front face of the platform I6b. Attached to said rear face of said platform is -a hardened cutting block I6c which together with the cutter 206 forms a cutting shear. Attached to the platform I6b is an angular guide 201. The top surface of platform I6b is at the level of the top surface of block I11, so that the zigzag shaped spring passes from said block onto the top of the platform I61), and beneath the guide 201. The width of platform I6b is less than the width of the U turns of the spring at the widest point in the spring, so that a portion of the spring projects beyond the block I60 and beneath the cutter 206, so that as the cutter comes down, as will be explained hereinafter, the bend 2I0 in the largest U of the spring will be cut off as indicated in Fig. 23 of the drawings, thus producing the last arm I2 of one spring and the first arm I2a of the next spring.

Shaft 202 is formed with an eccentric pin 2I2 journalled within the upper end of a crank 2I3 interconnected to the plate 205 by. another plate 2I4.

It will now be understood that as the shaft 202 rotates, plate 205, and hence the cutter 206 will be reciprocated. The support 200 may be formed with a guide 2|5 to be contacted by the zigzag spring at the point of cut off, as illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings.

Means is provided to rotate the shaft 202 through one revolution to afiect a cut off operation each time shaft I40 makes a complete revolution. To this end, there is mounted on and fixed to shaft I40, a disc 220 formed with a cam projection 22I in alignment with the high part of eccentric I43. Fixed to the underside of table I6 is a bracket 222 on which there is pivotally mounted a lever 223. The cam 22I is adapted to rotate the lever once during each revolution of shaft I40. Rotatably mounted on shaft 202 is a fly wheel 225 connected by belt 226 to a motor 221. When the machine is in operation, the motor operates continuously and the fly wheel 225 rotates continuously. The fly wheel 225 is operatively connected to the shaft 202 by one revolution clutch 228. Said clutch comprises a disc 229 mounted on and fixed to the shaft 202. Said disc is formed with a transverse opening 23I of rectangular cross-section. Slidably mounted within said opening is a slide bar 232, the outer face of which is formed with a slot 233 having an inclined face 234. The slide bar 232 is formed with a socket 236 in which there is slidably mounted a pin 231. A coil compression spring 230 in said socket normally presses the pin 231 against the support 200, thus tending to push the slide bar 232 against the adjacent face of the fly wheel 225. On said face of the fiy wheel 225 is a pin 240, the same distance from the axis of the fly wheel as is slider bar 232.

Pivoted to the support 200 as at 243, is a latch 244 having a beveled outer edge 241 normally engaged within the slot 233, retaining the slide bar 232 to the left, as shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings, so that the fiy wheel 225 can continuously rotate when rotating shaft 202 without pin 240 coming in contact with slider bar 232.

The latch 244 is interconnected to 2. lug 244a on the support 200, by a coil compression spring 24% to maintain said latch in engagement with the slider bar. Pivoted to support 200, as at 250, is a plate 25I interconnected to lever 223 by a connecting rod 223a. Plate 25I is formed with an opening 252 at an intermediate portion thereof. Pivoted to the latch 244 is a rod 255 passing through the opening 252. Fixed to the lower end of the rod 255 is a collar 256. Slidably mounted on said rod, and disposed below plate 25I, is a sleeve 251. Interposed between the collar 256 and the sleeve 251, is a coil tension spring 260.

It will be noted that when the cam 22I strikes the lever 223, the lever will rotate in a clockwise direction, looking at Figs. 1 and 7, pulling down plate 25I and hence pulling the latch 244 out of slot; 233, permitting spring 238 to move the slide bar 232 to the right, looking at Fig. 9 of the drawings, and into the path of the pin 240, so that when said pin contacts said slide bar, disc 229 which is fixed to the shaft 202, will be rotated to cause a shearing operation. When the disc 229 completes a revolution, latch 244 will again enter the slot 233 to pull the slide bar 232 again to the left, to stop rotation of the disc 229 and to disconnect said disc from the fly wheel which continues to rotate.

It will now be observed that the cut off mechanism operates in synchronization with the wire forming mechanism, so that the cut off will always be at the same sequence in the length of the spring, and each spring will have turns gradually decreasing in width from the outer ends toward the middle.

It will be further noted that the number of turns in each spring and the length of the spring may be varied without adjustment of the cut of! mechanism.

Mechanism for supporting the springs during out 017 and to pile the springs one on top of the other It will be noted that a full length of spring.

passes beyond the cut off mechanismbefore the spring is cut off. Means is provided to support the length of spring which passes beyond the cut off mechanism prior to the cut off operation and to drop the cut 011 spring by gravity after each cut off operation, so that the springs will pile up, one on top of the other as they are cut off. To this end, there is fixed to the support l5, a pair of parallel, aligned, horizontal guide members 210 extending beyond the cut of! and disposed longitudinally of the guide 15. Fixed to the guide plates 210 are plates 21| co-extensive with said guide plates, and extending inwardly therefrom,

as illustrated in Figs. 14, and 16 of the drawings. The guide plates 210 may be interconnected by transverse straps 212. Screwed to the undersides of said plates 21!], are headed pins 214 supporting a pair of horizontal aligned plates 215 disposed on the undersides of plates 210, said pins 214 passing through slots 216 in the plates 215.

It will now be understood that the plates 215 may beslidably moved inwardly toward each other or outwardly away from each other. When the plates 215 are in the position shown in Figs. 14 and 15, the zigzag shaped spring passes between the guide plates 210 and is held in position by the bottom slidable guide plates 215 and the top fixed guide plates 21 I Means is provided to separate the plates 215 after each cut off operation to permit the cut off length of spring to drop downwardly to any suitable receptacle, so that said springs will pile up' in such receptacle. To this end, there is fixed to the plate 210, a plurality of similar, symmetrically disposed brackets 211 rotatably supporting a pair of parallel rods or shafts 218 journalled within said brackets. Fixed to the forward ends of said shafts 218 are bars 280 and 281 interconnected by a sliding pivot connection 282 so that when the pivot is raised, the shafts 218 will be rotated inwardly, and when the pivot is lowered, said shafts will be rotated outwardly.

Fixed to said shafts 218 are downwardly extending arms 285 slotted at their lower ends as at 286. Fixed to the undersides of plates 215 are brackets 281 carrying longitudinal rods 288 received within the slots 286.

It will now be understood that when the shafts 218 are rotated inwardly, the arms 285 will push the plates 215 inwardly toward each other, and when said shafts 218 are rotated outwardly, said arms will retract the plates 215 to permit the cut spring to drop as shown in Fig. 16 'of the drawings.

Means is provided to normally lift the pivot 282 so as to move the guide plates 215 inwardly; and to lower said pivot after each cut off operation to permit the cut spring to drop. To this end, there is fixed to the plates 210 an overhead bracket 290 to which there is attached a Z-shaped arm 29L i The upper end of arm 29! is interconnected by a coil tension spring 292 to the pivot 282, so as to normally raise the pivot. Mounted on the pin 282 is a pin 293 projecting through opening 294 in bracket 29!].

Pivoted to the support 200, as at 295 is an arm 296 having one end overlying the pin 293. An adjustable screw 281 on arm 296 contacts the pin. On plate 2 is a roller 298 engaging the upper side of the lever 286 between the pivotal 'end 295 thereof and the outer end thereof. At each cut off operation, plate 2 descends to swing the lever 29B downwardly and depress the pivot 282 to retract plates 215 and permit the cut spring to drop. After the cut oil operation, spring 292 lifts the pivotal connection and also the arm 296.

It will be noted that each length of cut spring is longitudinally arched, being given such an arch by the curved guide I20.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiment might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a machine to make a zigzag shaped wire, in combination, a rotary member, a pair of parallel pins slidably mounted on said member on opposite sides of and parallel to the axis thereof, means to lead a wire between said pins, means to oscillate said member in opposite directions to form zigzag turns in said wire, and means to alternately depress said pins in synchronism with the oscillation of said rotary member.

2. In a machine to make a zigzag shaped wire, in combination, a rotary member, a pair of parallel pins slidably mounted on said member on opposite sides of and parallel to the axis thereof, means to lead a wire between said pins, means to oscillate said member, means to alternately depress said pins in synchronism with the oscillation of said rotary member, and means to move the pins away from each other and then toward each other in increments, synchronized with the oscillation of said rotary member, to vary the width of the turns of the zigzag wire.

3. In a machine to make'a zigzag shaped wire, in combination, a rotary member, a pair of parallel pins slidably mounted on said member on opposite side of and parallel to the axis thereof, means to lead a wire between said pins, means to oscillate said member, means to alternately depress said pins in synchronism with the oscillation of said rotary member, mean to move the pins away from each other and then toward each other in increments, synchronized with the oscillation of said rotary member, to vary the width of the turns of the zigzag wire, and means to adjust the timing of the depression of said pins relative to the oscillation of said rotary member.

4. In a machine to make a zigzag shaped wire, in combination, a rotary member, a pair of parallel pins slidably mounted on said member on opposite sides of and parallel to the axis thereof, means to lead a wire between said pins, means to oscillate said member, means to alternately depress said pins in synchronism with the oscillation of said rotary member, means to move the pins away from each other and then toward each other in increments, synchronized with the oscillation of said rotary member, to vary the width of the turns of the zigzag wire, and means to adjust the angle of oscillation of said rotary member.

5. In a. machine to make a zigzag shaped wire, in combination, a rotary member, a pair of parallel pins slidably mounted on said member on opposite sides of and parallel to the axis thereof. means to lead a wire between said pins, means to oscillate said member, means to alternately depress said pins in synchronism with the oscillation of said rotary member, means to move the pins away from each other and then toward each other in increments, synchronized with the oscillation of said rotary member, to vary the width of the turns of the zigzag wire, means to adjust the timing of the depression of said pins relative, to the oscillation of said rotary member, and means to adjust the angle of oscillation of said rotary member.

6. In a machine to make a zigzag shaped wire, in combination, a rotary member, a pair of parallel pins slidably mounted on said member on opposite sides of and parallel to the axis thereof, means to lead a wire between said pins, means to oscillate said member, means to alternately depress said pins in synchronism with the oscillation of said rotary member, and means on said rotary member to arch the zigzag shaped wire longitudinally as said zigzag shaped wire is formed.

7. In a machine to make a zigzag shaped wire, in combination, a rotary member, a pair of parallel pin slidably mounted on said member on opposite sides of and parallel to the axis thereof, means to lead a wire between said pins, means to oscillate said member, means to alternately depress said pins in synchronism with the oscillation of said rotary member, means to move the pins away from each other and then toward each other in increments, synchronized with the oscillation of said rotary member, to vary the width of the turns of the zigzag wire, and means on said rotary member to arch the zigzag shaped Wire longitudinally as said zigzag shaped wire is,

formed.

8. In a machine to make a zigzag shaped wire, in combination, a rotary member, a pair of parallel pins slidably mounted on said member on opposite sides of and parallel to the axis thereof, means to lead a wire between said pins, means to oscillate said member, means to alternately depress said pins in synchronism with the oscillation of said rotary member, and a longitudinally curved chute pivotally mounted on said rotary member adapted to receive the zigzag shaped wire as it is formed.

9. In a machine to make a zigzag shaped wire, in combination, a rotary member, a pair of parallel pins slidably mounted on said member on opposite sides of and parallel to the axis thereof, means to lead a wire between said pins, means to oscillate said member, means to alternately depress said pins in synchronism With the oscillation of said rotary member, means to move the pins away from each other and then-toward each other in increments, synchronized with the oscillation of said rotary member, to vary the Width of the turns of the zigzag wire, and means synchronized with said means to move said pins apart to cut oiT predetermined lengths of said zigzag shaped wire.

10. In a machine to make a zigzag shaped wire, in combination, a" rotary member, a pair of parallel pins slidably mounted on said member on opposite sides of and parallel to the axis thereof, means to lead a wire between said pins, means to oscillate said member, means to alternately depress said pins in synchronism with the oscillation of said rotary member, and means, synchronized with said oscillating means, to advance said zigzag shaped wire past a point on the machine.

11. In a machine to make a zigzag shaped wire,

in combination, a rotary member, a pair of parallel pins slidably mounted on said member on opposite sides of and parallel to the axis thereof, means to lead a wire between said pinsymeans to oscillate said member, means to alternately depress said pins in synchronism with the oscillation of said rotary member, means to move the pins away from each other and then toward each other in increments, synchronized with the oscillation of said rotary member, to vary the width of the turns of the zigzag wire, and means, synchronized with said oscillating means, to advance said zigzag shaped wire past a point on the machine,

12. In a machine for making a zigzag shaped .wire, a pair of members to engage opposite sides of a wire, means to oscillate said members about an axis between said members in opposite directions to form zigzag turns in the wire, and means synchronized with said oscillating means, to disengage each turn in the wire from said members as the turn is made.

13. In a machine for making a zigzag shaped wire, means to engage opposite sides of a wire. means to oscillate said first means to form turns in the wire, means synchronized with said oscillating means, to disengage each turn in the wire from said engaging means as the turn is made, a longitudinally curved chute receiving said zigzag shaped spring as it is made, and means to pivot said chute about an axis parallel to the axis of oscillation of said first means.

14. In a machine for making a zigzag shaped wire, a pair of members to engage opposite sides of a wire, means to oscillate said members about an axis between said members to form turns in the wire, means synchronized with said oscillating means, to disengage each turn in the wire from said members, as the turn'is made, and means to adjust the distance between said members to increase the Width of the turns made in the wire.

15. In a machine for making a zigzag shaped wire, means to engage opposite sides of a wire,

' means to oscillate said first means in opposite directions to form zigzag turns in the Wire, means synchronized with said oscillating means, to disengage each zigzag turn in the wire as the wire is made, and means synchronized with said oscillating means, to cut off predetermined lengths of the zigzag shaped wire.

16. In a machine for making a zigzag shaped wire, means to engage opposite sides of a wire, means to oscillate said first meansto form turns in the wire, means synchronized With said oscillating means, to disengage each turn in the wire as the wire is made, means synchronized with said oscillating means, to cut off predetermined lengths of the zigzag shaped wire, means to receive and support each length of wire before it is cut oh, and means controlled by the cut oif means to release the cut off lengths of wire to permit the same to drop by gravity.

17. In a machine of the character described, an oscillating member, means to oscillate said member, a pair of blocks slidably mounted on said member for movement toward and away from the axis of said member, means to bias said blocks toward each other, parallel pins slidably mounted on said blocks, for longitudinal movement parallel to the axis of said member, means to bias said pins in one direction, means to alternately move said pins in the opposite direction, and means to move said blocks way from each other.

18. In combination, a member adapted to cillate about its axis, a pair of depressible spring pressed means slidably mounted on opposite sides of the axis of said member in directions, parallel to said axis, means to lead a wire between said pair of means, means to oscillate said member whereby to twist said wire into zigzag shape, means to alternately depress said pair. of means, to disengage said zigzag wire as it is formed, and means to longitudinally arch said zigzag shaped wire as it is formed.

19. In combination, means to alternately twist a wire in opposite directions to form a zigzag shaped wire, means controlled by first means, to longitudinally arch said wire, and means synchronized with the first means, to cut oil predetermined lengths of said wire.

20. In combination, means to alternately twist a wire in opposite directions, to form a zigzag shaped wire, means to longitudinally arch said wire, means to cut off predetermined lengths of said wire, means to support the cut off lengths of said wire, and means to release said supporting means to permit said out off lengths to drop by gravity.

21. In combination, means to alternately twist a wire in opposite directions to form a zigzag shaped wire, means to longitudinally arch said wire, means to cut off predetermined lengths of said wire, and means to adjust the first means to successively increase the widths of a predetermined number of turns and then successively decrease the widths of a number of turns.

22. In combination, means to alternately twist a Wire in opposite directions to form a zigzag shaped wire, means to longitudinally arch said wire, means to cut off predetermined lengths of said wire, means to adjust the first means to successively increase the widths of a predetermined number of turns and then successively decrease the widths of a number of turns, and means to vary the number of turns which increase in width and the number of turns which decrease in width.

23. In combination, a member adapted to oscillate about an axis, a pair of aligned blocks slidably mounted on said member and movable toward and away from each other, springs to urge said blocks toward each other, a pair of pins parallel to said axis mounted on said blocks for reciprocation, springs to urge said pins in one direction, a pin having a cammed portion between said blocks adapted to spread said blocks when moved in one direction, spring means to move said last pin in the opposite direction, a

shaft, a cam on said shaft adapted to engage said last pin and move the same in said first direction, upon rotating said shaft, a ratchet on said shaft, means to oscillate said member, and means controlled by said oscillating means, to advance said ratchet step by step in synchronization with the oscillation of said member.

5 24. In combination, a member adapted to oscillate about an axis, a pair of aligned blocks slidably'mounted on said member and movable toward and away from each other, springs to urge said blocks toward each other, a pair of 0 pins parallel to said axis mounted on said blocks for reciprocation, springs to urge said pins in one direction, a pin having a cammed portion between said blocks adapted to spread said blocks when moved in one direction, spring means to move said pin in the opposite direction, a shaft, a cam on said shaft adapted to engage said last pin and move the same in said first direction, upon rotating said shaft, a ratchet on said shaft, means to oscillate said member, means controlled by said oscillating means, to advance said ratchet step by step in synchronization with the oscillation of said member, a plunger adapted to depress said pair of pins, and means synchronized with said oscillating means, to cause said plunger to alternately depress said pins adjacent the ends of the oscillations of said member,

25. In a machine to make a zigzag shaped wire, in combination, a rotary member, a pair of parallel pins slidably mounted on said momher on opposite sides of and paralel to the axis thereof, means to lead a wire between said pins, means to oscillate said member, means to alternately depress said pins in synchronism with the oscillation of said rotary member, and means to adjust the timing of the depression of said pins relative to the oscillation of said rotary member. 26. In a machine to make a zigzag shaped wire, in combination, a rotary member, a pair of parallel pins slidably mounted on said member on opposite sides of and parallel to the axis there of, means to lead a'wire between said pins, means to oscillate said member, means to alternately depress said pins in synchronism with the oscillation of said rotary member, and means to adjust the angle of oscillation of said rotary mem ber.

27. In a machine for making a zigzag shaped wire, pairs of members to engage opposite sides of a wire, means to oscillate said members about an axis between said members, to form turns in the wire, means synchronized with said oscillating means, to disengage each turn in the wire from said members, as the turn is made, and means to adjust the timing of said disengaging means.

ALBERT M. BANK. ALEXANDER NICHOLAS. 

